Best Houses 38 - Praia Residences

When we first drove into the apartment complex parking area, we were a little apprehensive. It is a conglomerate of apartments that are not well taken care of, some look abandoned. The office took a little instruction to find it, and we took the keys not knowing what we were getting. The building was secure, and nice once you got inside. The actual apartment we got had a spectacular view of the sand dunes and some ocean. It was beautiful. The main living area is where we spent morning and evenings. We got a few groceries and made several meals in the well supplied kitchen. We were able to wash clothes in the washer there and drying racks were supplied. A very relaxing, beautiful atmosphere to read, take in the view, open the patio doors and let the fresh air in. One day we were able to drive to Nazaré and Obidos which were a short drive away. Another day we spent relaxing in the apartment and going to the beach right across the street. The beach is beautiful and quite spacious, with sugar soft sand and beautiful dunes. This is a surfing location so there were several surfing classes going on in groups while we were there. The weather was perfect on a September afternoon.

The master shower, (this is a 3BR, 2 bathroom apartment and we only used the master) needs updating. The fixtures are old, the lighting was dim, and the shower was very difficult to manage in that it took about 4-5 minutes to get warm, then it was too hot, and if you turned it back it got icy cold, and the water pressure went from poor to almost nonexistent probable when another apartment used water or flushed a toilet? To make matters worse this was the only place we stayed in over 3 weeks that didn't supply body soap or shampoo. I had to use an emergency bar of soap I carried to wash my hair. Awful results. The water also seemed very full of minerals, very hard water, didn't feel clean after. showering. If it weren't for the bathroom, this place would get a 10.